Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Centrosolar's revenue up, despite predicted fall in German module demand

Centrosolar Group AG has said it expects to see revenue in excess of €370 million this year, despite a “substantial” fall in demand in the German market, predicted to take place in the third quarter of this year. The company adds that the high increase in solar module production capacity in April, from 110 MWp to currently around 155 MWp, has not been enough to meet fully the high level of demand from both Germany and other European core markets, particularly France and Italy.

The company predicts that a price war is likely to break out among solar cell manufacturers. Image: Centrosolar Group AG.

With the sales market as a whole performing robustly, the lack of availability of high-quality cells in recent weeks has led to a sizeable rise in purchase prices, says Centrosolar. In light of this, the gross margin is expected to decline in the third quarter. Given the continuing sharp growth in cell manufacturing capacity worldwide, it believes this is a transitional effect. However, because the precise extent and duration of the temporary reduction in margins cannot yet be forecast accurately, the most recent EBIT forecast of €24 to €28 million is retained for the time being, “even if the lower end of this bandwidth appears to be too conservative as matters stand”.

In a statement, the company said: “Centrosolar Group AG approaches 2011 in a very positive frame of mind. This is because unlike many other solar businesses, Centrosolar is profiting from a market characterized by surplus capacity, as is indeed forecast for 2011. On the one hand, the company is one step closer to the customer thanks to its strong international setup with an area-wide sales network in the major sales markets for photovoltaic roof systems, which are expected to enjoy strong growth likewise in 2011. On the other hand, the company's flexible purchasing policy will enable it to secure favorable purchasing terms amid the price war that is then likely to break out among solar cell manufacturers. On this basis, the company yet again expects both volume growth, especially on its export markets, and attractive margins in 2011.”

With revenue of €209 million and an operating result of €21.1 million for the first half of the year, the company says it has “easily succeeded” in bettering its previous year's figures (revenue €22 million, earnings - €11.3 million). Within the second quarter in particular, it says new records were set for revenue and earnings. For example, second quarter revenue of €124 million was more than double the figure for the prior-year quarter and around 46 percent up on the previous quarter.

“The operating result before interest and taxes (EBIT) of €12.9 million both easily exceeded the previous quarterly record and surpassed the company's own expectations; this meant that more than three-quarters of the previously upgraded earnings forecast of €24 to €28 million had already been achieved by mid-way through the year,” it explained.